Methods and systems of using vehicle system data to improve the operation of off-road vehicles

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a fleet of off-road vehicles may include: Collecting sensor data from the off-road vehicles, the sensor data being related to the operation of a plurality of vehicle systems; combining sensor data from the vehicle systems in accordance with a user-defined event; determining whether the collected and combined sensor data are within or without defined limits of the user-defined event; producing an alarm signal for a user when the collected and combined sensor data are without the defined limits of the user-defined event; and modifying the operation of vehicles for which an alarm signal has been produced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/363,503, filed on Jul. 18, 2016, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference for all that it discloses.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to systems and methods of operatingvehicles in general and more particularly to systems and methods ofimproving the operation of a fleet of off-road vehicles by monitoringselected vehicle system data.

BACKGROUND

Mining operations typically utilize fleets of specialized vehicles thatare adapted for a wide variety of tasks. Such vehicle fleets, include,for example, off road haul trucks that are used to carry excavatedmaterial throughout the mine, although they may include other types ofvehicles as well. Such vehicles are often equipped with a vehicleinformation management system (VIMS) that includes a variety of sensorsfor sensing information and data relating to the function and operationof the vehicles. Such VIMS systems are often used during vehiclemaintenance operations to troubleshoot or identify faulty or failingvehicle components so that the same can be replaced or repaired asnecessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a method of improving the operation of a fleet ofoff-road vehicles may include the steps of: Creating a user-definedevent, the user-defined event defining a combination of sensor datarelating to at least two vehicle systems or sensors and defined limitsfor that sensor data, the defined limits and user-defined event beingindicative of undesirable operation of the off-road vehicles; collectingsensor data from the vehicles, the sensor data being related to theoperation of a plurality of vehicle systems; combining sensor data fromthe vehicle systems in accordance with the user-defined event;determining whether the collected and combined sensor data are inside oroutside the defined limits of the user-defined event; producing an alarmsignal for a user when the collected and combined sensor data areoutside the defined limits of the user-defined event; and modifying theoperation of vehicles for which an alarm signal has been produced.

A method of operating a fleet of off-road vehicles is also disclosedthat may include the steps of: Collecting sensor data from the off-roadvehicles, the sensor data being related to the operation of a pluralityof vehicle systems; combining sensor data from the vehicle systems inaccordance with a user-defined event; determining whether the collectedand combined sensor data are within or without defined limits of theuser-defined event; producing an alarm signal for a user when thecollected and combined sensor data are without the defined limits of theuser-defined event; and modifying the operation of vehicles for which analarm signal has been produced.

Also disclosed is a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, whenexecuted by at least one computer processor cause the processor to:Collect sensor data from the off-road vehicles, the sensor data beingrelated to the operation of a plurality of vehicle systems; combinesensor data from the vehicle systems in accordance with a user-definedevent; determine whether the collected and combined sensor data arewithin or without defined limits of the user-defined event; produce analarm signal for a user when the collected and combined sensor data arewithout the defined limits of the user-defined event; and recommendmodification of the operation of vehicles for which an alarm signal hasbeen produced.

A system for operating a fleet of off-road vehicles may include anetwork. A plurality of sensors operatively associated with the fleet ofoff-road vehicles and connected to the network sense information relatedto the operation of a plurality of off-road vehicle systems. Aprocessing system operatively connected to the network is configured to:Collect sensor data from the off-road vehicles, the sensor data beingrelated to the operation of a plurality of vehicle systems; combinesensor data from the vehicle systems in accordance with a user-definedevent; determine whether the collected and combined sensor data areinside or outside defined limits of the user-defined event; produce analarm signal for a user when the collected and combined sensor data areoutside the defined limits of the user-defined event; and recommendmodification of the operation of vehicles for which an alarm signal hasbeen produced. A display system operatively associated with theprocessing system displays at least information relating to therecommended modification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative and presently preferred exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a system foroperating a fleet of off-road vehicles according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of an example screen display thatmay be used to show an alarm signal and related vehicle data associatedwith a low engine oil pressure condition; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart representation of an embodiment of a method ofoperating a fleet of off-road vehicles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of a system 10 for improving the operation of a fleet ofoff-road vehicles is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is shown and describedherein as it could be used in conjunction with a fleet of off-roadvehicles 12, such as haul trucks 14 and wheel loaders 15, operating in amining environment 16. Various vehicle systems 18 of each off-roadvehicle 12 (e.g., haul truck 14 or wheel loader 15) may be provided withone or more sensors 20 for sensing information and data relating to thefunction and operation of the vehicle systems 18 during operation. Someor all of the sensors 20 may comprise a part of a vehicle informationmanagement system (VIMS) provided by the vehicle manufacturer ororiginal equipment manufacturer (“OEM”). Alternatively, some or all ofthe sensors 20 could be separately provided or added to the vehicles 12after manufacture.

In any event, and regardless of the particular type of vehicle sensors20 provided and whether they comprise a portion of the OEM VIMS system,the sensors 20 may be operatively connected to a processing system 22via a wireless network 24. Processing system 22 may be configured toprocess information and data from the sensors 20 in accordance with oneor more user-defined events (“UDEs”) 26. In one embodiment, theuser-defined events 26 may be provided in a library 28 of user-definedevents.

As will be described in greater detail herein, each user-defined event26 may comprise a combination of sensor data relating to at least twovehicle systems 18 or two different vehicle sensors 20. The user-definedevent 26 may also include defined limits for that sensor data. Sensordata that are outside of the defined limits for the particularuser-defined event 26 are indicative of undesirable operation of theoff-road vehicle 12. Some user-defined events 26 may comprisecombinations of sensor data that are indicative of a mechanicaldeficiency of the off-road vehicle 12. Other user-defined events 26 maybe indicative of an operational deficiency (i.e., improper operatortechnique or procedure).

Processing system 22 may cause information and data relating to the userdefined events 26 to be displayed on one or more display systems 30operatively associated with processing system 22. For example, and withreference now to FIG. 3, such information and data may include a visualalarm signal 32 that is produced when the collected and combined sensordata are outside of the defined limits of the user-defined event 26. Thealarm signal could also comprise an aural signal. The displayedinformation and data may also include information about whether thealarm signal 32 is indicative of a mechanical deficiency or anoperational deficiency. Thereafter, a system operator or fleet manager(not shown) may schedule appropriate maintenance operations and/oroperator training, as the case may be.

In some embodiments, the displayed information may also include one ormore data logs 34 of data from the sensor(s) 20 relating to theparticular user defined event 26. For example, for the low engine oilpressure user defined event 26 depicted in FIG. 2, data logs 34 maycomprise an engine speed or rpm data log 36, an engine oil pressure datalog 38, and an engine key switch data log 40 (e.g., engine running orstopped). Data logs 34 may also include a differential pressure data log42 that indicates a differential pressure (e.g., between inlet andoutlet) across an oil filter system of the engine.

A significant advantage of the present invention is that it permitssystem operators to create or define user defined events that arespecific to the particular operational conditions and environments inwhich the vehicles are operating, rather than just relying on the systemalarms and warning systems (e.g., warning lights and/or aural alarms)provided by the vehicle manufacturer. For example, even though a vehiclemay be designed for use in a particular environment, such as an open pitmine, not all mining environments are the same. The methods and systemsof the present invention will allow mining operators to develop userdefined events that are specifically tailored to the conditions of theparticular mining environment. Still further, most mining operators haveconsiderable experience operating vehicles and vehicle fleets and oftenunderstand the maintenance needs and performance trouble spots of thevehicles themselves better than the vehicle manufacturer. Here again,the systems and methods of the present invention will allow operators todevelop user defined events that are specifically tailored to theparticular vehicles being used and in view of their actual operationalexperiences with the particular vehicles involved.

Still other advantages are associated with display of the data logs ofsensor data associated with the user defined event 26. For example, uponthe determination of an alarm condition, the system user may review theassociated data logs and use that information to reach an appropriateresolution of the problem. For example, the data logs may reveal thatalarm condition was the result of a system parameter that is onlyslightly out of the defined range. If so, the system operator maydetermine that the issue does not require immediate attention. The usermay then schedule appropriate remedial measures (e.g., vehiclemaintenance) in accordance with a normal or pre-established time linefor undertaking such measures. On the other hand, the displayed datalogs may reveal that the alarm condition was the result of a seriousdeparture from the defined range for the particular variable. In such aninstance, the system operator may choose to take immediate action toaddress the alarm condition.

Having briefly described certain exemplary embodiments of systems andmethods of the present invention, as well as some of their moresignificant features and advantages, various embodiments and variationsof the present invention will now be described in detail. However,before proceeding the description, it should be noted that while variousembodiments are shown and described herein as they could be used inconjunction with vehicles used in a mining environment, the presentinvention is not limited to use with such vehicles and in suchenvironments. For example, while the user defined events are describedherein as they could be developed for haul trucks of the type used inopen pit mining environments, user defined events could be developed forother types of vehicles operating in other types of environments, aswould become apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art afterhaving become familiar with the teachings provided herein. Consequently,the present invention should not be regarded as limited to use in anyparticular type of vehicle, environment, or application.

With reference back now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a system 10 forimproving the operation of a fleet of off-road vehicles is shown anddescribed herein as it could be used in conjunction with one or moreoff-road vehicles 12, such as haul trucks 14 and wheel loaders 15operating at one or more mine sites 16. Although the vehicles 12 in theexemplary embodiment may comprise off-road haul trucks 14 and wheelloaders 15, it should be understood that the systems and methods of thepresent invention may be used in conjunction with other types ofvehicles, in other environments, and to perform different missions ortasks, as would become apparent to persons having ordinary skill in theart after having become familiar with the teachings provided herein.Consequently, the present invention should not be regarded as limited toany particular vehicle type operating in any particular environment.However, by way of example, in one embodiment, the various haul trucks14 comprise model 793 (types ‘B/C’ or ‘D’) diesel powered off-road haultrucks manufactured by Caterpillar, Inc. of Peoria, Ill. (US). The wheelloaders 15 comprise model 994 (type ‘F’) diesel powdered wheel loaders,also manufactured by Caterpillar.

Still referring to FIG. 1, each vehicle 12 may be provided with one ormore sensors 20 for sensing various operational states and parametersassociated with a wide variety of vehicle systems 18. Exemplary vehiclesystems 18 that may be sensed by the sensors 20 include, but are notlimited to, engine systems, cooling systems, hydraulic systems,transmission systems, and suspension systems. The vehicle sensors 20 mayalso sense information and data relating to the kinematic state of thevehicle 12, including vehicle position, speed, acceleration, andheading, although other information and data may be sensed as well.

In the particular embodiments shown and described herein, the vehiclesensors 20 may comprise a plurality of individual sensors (not shown)that are operatively associated with the various vehicle systems anddevices 18 being monitored. The vehicle sensors 20 may also comprise apart of a vehicle information management system (VIMS) and associatedvehicle data network or networks (not shown) that provide data sensingand reporting functionalities to facilitate the monitoring of thevarious vehicle components, states, and systems, as described herein. Byway of example, such vehicle networks may include, but are not limitedto, Local Interconnect Networks (“LIN,” e.g., configured in accordancewith ISO 1941 and ISO 17987), which are commonly used for low data rateapplications; Controller Area Networks (“CAN,” e.g., configured inaccordance with ISO 11898) for medium data rate applications; and“FlexRay” (e.g., configured in accordance with ISO 17458), which isoften used for safety-critical applications. A vehicle 12 may beprovided with more than one vehicle network.

Before proceeding with the description, it should be noted that vehiclesensors 20 suitable for monitoring various vehicle components, systems,and states, are well-known in the art and are commonly provided as OEMequipment on a wide range of vehicles. Therefore, the particular vehiclesensors 20 that may be utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention will not be described in further detail herein.

Regardless of the particular types of vehicle sensors 20 that may beutilized on the vehicles 12, the vehicle sensors and associated vehiclenetwork(s), as described above may be operatively connected toprocessing system 22 via network system 24. In many embodiments, networksystem 24 will comprise a combination of wireless and wired networks inorder to facilitate the transfer of information and data from thevehicle sensors 20 to processing system 22. By way of example, in oneembodiment, network system 24 may comprise a wireless network component(not separately shown) provided at the mine site 16. Such a wirelessnetwork may comprise a first link or component of network system 24 andmay be used to capture and relay information and data from the vehiclesensors 20 to a local area network infrastructure (also not separatelyshown) provided at the mine site 16. Thereafter, another wide areanetwork system (not shown) may be used transfer and/or relay thatinformation and data to a centralized network infrastructure (also notshown) which may be operatively associated with processing system 22. Ofcourse, other variations and configurations of network system 24 arepossible, as would become apparent to persons having ordinary skill inthe art after having become familiar with the teachings provided herein.Therefore, the network system 24 shown and described herein should notbe regarded as limited to any particular components, types,architectures, or configurations.

Processing system 22 may be operatively connected to network system 24so as to receive from the various vehicle sensors 20 information anddata relating to the function and operation of the various vehicles 12and systems thereof, as already described. Processing system 22processes that information and data in accordance with the teachingsprovided herein in order to improve the operation of the fleet ofoff-road vehicles 12. Processing system 22 may also be connected to oneor more display systems 30 to allow the processing system 22 to displaycertain information and data relating to the user defined events 26described herein to be displayed or presented to one or more systemoperators, as described herein. Both processing system 22 and displaysystem 30 may comprise any of a wide range of systems and devices thatare now known in the art or that may be developed in the future that areor would be suitable for use with the present invention. Still further,because such systems are well-known in the art and could be readilyprovided by persons having ordinary skill in the art, the particularprocessing and display systems 22 and 30 that may be utilized inconjunction with the present invention will not be described in furtherdetail herein.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 3, the various components of the system10 may be configured or programmed to operate in accordance with amethod 44 to improve the operation of a fleet of off-road vehicles 12.Broadly speaking, method 44 generally involves collecting (e.g., duringstep 46) sensor data from the vehicles 12. As mentioned, the sensor datamay comprise information and data relating to any of a wide range ofvehicle systems 18. Thereafter, during step 48 the sensor data may becombined in accordance with one or more user-defined events or UDEs 26.

As mentioned, each user-defined event or UDE 26 may define a combinationof sensor data relating to at least two vehicle systems 18. Theuser-defined event or UDE 26 may also include defined limits for thatsensor data. Further, some UDEs 26 may comprise combinations of sensordata that are indicative of a mechanical deficiency of the off-roadvehicle 12, whereas other UDEs 26 may be indicative of an operationaldeficiency (i.e., improper operator technique or procedure). Thedeveloped UDE's may also be assigned a priority number (e.g., frompriority 1 to priority 5) depending on the importance or potentialimpact on the vehicle 12 of a UDE alarm condition. Moreover, the sameUDE 26 may be assigned different priority numbers depending on theparticular type or model of the vehicle 12, as best seen in the Table.

The various exemplary user-defined events or UDEs 26 described hereinwere defined or created for various types of off-road vehiclesmanufactured by Caterpillar, Inc., of Peoria, Ill. (US). In particular,the various exemplary UDEs 26 described herein were developed forCaterpillar model 793 (types B, C, and D) off-road haul trucks and forthe Caterpillar model 994 (type F) wheel loader. Alternatively, UDEs 26could be developed for other types of off-road vehicles made by othermanufacturers as would become readily apparent to persons havingordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with theteachings provided herein. Consequently, the present invention shouldnot be regarded as limited to use with any particular type of off-roadvehicle 12.

The Caterpillar off-road vehicles described herein include acomprehensive sensor suite for sensing information and data relating toa wide variety of vehicle systems 18, as already described herein. Thosesensors 20 are operatively associated with the vehicle informationmanagement system (VIMS). While the manufacturer has defined variouspermissible limits (e.g., pressures, temperatures, etc.) for the varioussystems, we have found that information and/or data from a single sensor20 (or sensors 20 associated with a single vehicle system 18) are notnecessarily indicative of mechanical or operational deficiencies of theoff-road vehicle 12. Each UDE 26 defines a combination of sensor datathat relates to at least two vehicle systems or vehicle sensors as wellas defined limits for that sensor data. The defined limits anduser-defined event 26 are indicative of undesirable operation of theoff-road vehicles in a way that data from single sensors 20 or vehiclesystems 18 are not. Some UDEs 26 may be defined that are indicative of amechanical deficiency or possible need for maintenance of the off-roadvehicle 12. Other UDEs 26 may be defined that indicative of anoperational deficiency (i.e., improper operator technique or procedure).

By way of example, UDE's 26 may be defined as follows in the followingTable. Alarm IDs having a ‘793’ prefix are for the haul trucks 14,whereas Alarm IDs having a ‘994’ prefix are for the wheel loaders 15:

TABLE UDE Alarm ID Priority Message Alarm Logic 793_003 3 Park Brake(Parking Brake-Off) AND Not Set (Transmission-Neutral) While Waiting793_004 3 Park Brake (Parking Brake-Off) AND Not Set (PayloadStatus-Loading) While Loading 793_008 4 Bed Up (Bed Up Indication) ANDSwitch Bad (Haul Distance > 20) 793_016 2 R. Front (Ground Speed > 5)AND NOT minus (Transmission-Neutral) AND L. Front [(retardermode = 2) ORBrake Temp (retardermode = 6) OR High (retarder2! = 0) OR(servicebrakestatus! = 0)] AND (ABS(R. Front minus L. Front BrakeTemp) > 25) 793_017 2 R. Rear Ground Speed > 5) AND NOT minus(Transmission-Neutral) AND L. Rear [(retardermode = 2) OR Brake Temp(retardermode = 6) OR High (retarder2! = 0) OR (servicebrakestatus! =0)] AND (Engine Coolant Temperature > 145) AND (ABS(R. Rear minus L.Rear Brake Temp) > 25) 793_018 2 Front minus Ground Speed > 5) AND NOTRear Brake (Transmission-Neutral) AND Temp High [(retardermode = 2) OR(retardermode = 6) OR (servicebrake = 1) OR (retarder2 = 1) AND (EngineCoolant Temperature > 145) AND (ABS((LF Brake Temp + RF Brake Temp) −(LR Brake Temp + RR Brake Temp)) > 50 793_025 3 ARC (auto. (RetarderMode = 0 OR retarder Retarder Mode = 6) AND control) (Ground Speed > 0)Switch Status OFF 793_026 2 Traction (Ground Speed > 2) AND ((LeftControl Rear Wheel Speed < 0.1) OR Sensor (Right Rear Wheel Speed <Problem 0.1)) 793_027 2 Right minus (ABS(Right Minus Left Exhaust LeftTemp >= 81)) Exhaust Temp High 793_028 5(Type B/C) Front/Rear (EngineSpeed > 700) AND 2(Type D) Aftercooler (Engine Coolant Temperature >Delta High 145) AND (ABS((Front Aftercooler Temperature − RearAftercooler Temperature)) > 50) 793_033 2 Boost ((Engine Speed > 1400)OR Pressure (Engine Speed < 1800)) AND Below 25 (Engine Load > 98) ANDpsi (Ground Speed < 7) AND (Throttle Position > 95) AND ((BoostPressure >= 20) AND (Boost Pressure <= 25)) AND (Transmission Gear <147) 793_035 2 Transmission (Engine Speed > 700) AND Oil Level(Transmission Oil Level = Low) Low AND (Transmission Lube Temp > 158)AND NOT (Payload Status = Dumping) 793_036 1 Engine OilEngOilPressHighRPM: [Engine Pressure Oil Pressure] < 50 LowEngOilPressLowRPM: [Engine Oil Pressure] < 33 EngSpeedHighRPM: [EngineSpeed] > 1500 EngSpeedLowRPM: ([Engine Speed] > 650) AND ([Engine Speed]< 1500) Alarm: ([EngSpeedLowRPM] AND [EngOilPressLowRPM]) OR([EngSpeedHighRPM] AND [EngOilPressHighRPM]) 793_038 3 Excessive EngineSpeed >= 100 AND Idle Time Parking Brake = On AND Transmission Gear =Neutral AND Data Age < 5 994_003 2 Right minus (Right Minus Left ExhaustLeft Temp >= 50) Exhaust Temp High

After the sensor data has been combined in accordance with the UDEs 26,method 44 may then proceed to step 50 to determine whether the sensordata are inside or outside the defined limits of the UDEs 26. If theyare not, the program flow returns to step 46 and continues to collectsensor data and combine them in accordance with the UDEs 26. If,however, the sensor data are outside the limits defined by the UDEs 26,then an alarm signal 32 is produced at step 52. Alarm signal 32 may thenbe displayed on display system 30 in the manner already described. SeeFIG. 2. Alarm signal 32 could also include an aural alarm signal.Thereafter, at step 54, a system operator or fleet manager (not shown)may modify the operation of the off-road vehicle 12, e.g., by schedulingappropriate maintenance operations and/or operator training, dependingon the particular alarm.

Having herein set forth preferred embodiments of the present invention,it is anticipated that suitable modifications can be made thereto whichwill nonetheless remain within the scope of the invention. The inventionshall therefore only be construed in accordance with the followingclaims:

1. A method of improving the operation of a fleet of off-road vehicles,comprising: creating a user-defined event, the user-defined eventdefining a combination of sensor data relating to at least two vehiclesystems and defined limits for the sensor data, the defined limits anduser-defined event being indicative of undesirable operation of theoff-road vehicles; collecting sensor data from the vehicles, the sensordata being related to the operation of a plurality of vehicle systems;combining sensor data from the vehicle systems in accordance with theuser-defined event; determining whether the collected and combinedsensor data are within or without the defined limits of the user-definedevent; producing an alarm signal for a user when the collected andcombined sensor data are without the defined limits of the user-definedevent; and modifying the operation of vehicles for which an alarm signalhas been produced.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating auser-defined event comprises defining combinations of sensor data thatare indicative of a mechanical deficiency of the off-road vehicles. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein said creating a user-defined eventcomprises defining combinations of sensor data that are indicative of anoperational deficiency of the off-road vehicles.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein said producing an alarm signal further comprises producing anindication of whether the alarm signal is indicative of a mechanicaldeficiency or an operational deficiency.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein said modifying the operation of the vehicles for which an alarmsignal has been produced, further comprises: scheduling a maintenanceoperation for the vehicles when the alarm signal is indicative of amechanical deficiency; and scheduling operator training when the alarmsignal is indicative of an operational deficiency.
 6. A method ofoperating a fleet of off-road vehicles, comprising: collecting sensordata from the off-road vehicles, the sensor data being related to theoperation of a plurality of vehicle systems; combining sensor data fromthe vehicle systems in accordance with a user-defined event; determiningwhether the collected and combined sensor data are within or withoutdefined limits of the user-defined event; producing an alarm signal fora user when the collected and combined sensor data are without thedefined limits of the user-defined event; and modifying the operation ofvehicles for which an alarm signal has been produced.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the predetermined user-defined event comprisescombinations of sensor data that are indicative of a mechanicaldeficiency of the off-road vehicles and combinations of sensor data thatare indicative of an operational deficiency of the off-road vehicles,and wherein said producing an alarm signal further comprises producingan indication of whether the alarm signal is indicative of a mechanicaldeficiency or an operational deficiency.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein said modifying the operation of the vehicles for which an alarmsignal has been produced, further comprises: scheduling a maintenanceoperation for the vehicles when the alarm signal is indicative of amechanical deficiency; and scheduling operator training when the alarmsignal is indicative of an operational deficiency.
 9. The method ofclaim 6, wherein collecting sensor data from the off-road vehiclescomprises collecting data from a vehicle information management systemprovided on the off-road vehicles.
 10. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructionsembodied thereon that, when executed by at least one computer processorcause the processor to: collect sensor data from the off-road vehicles,the sensor data being related to the operation of a plurality of vehiclesystems; combine sensor data from the vehicle systems in accordance witha user-defined event; determine whether the collected and combinedsensor data are within or without defined limits of the user-definedevent; produce an alarm signal for a user when the collected andcombined sensor data are without the defined limits of the user-definedevent; and recommend modification of the operation of vehicles for whichan alarm signal has been produced.
 11. A system for operating a fleet ofoff-road vehicles, comprising: a network; a plurality of sensorsoperatively associated with the fleet of off-road vehicles, saidplurality of sensors sensing information related to the operation of aplurality of off-road vehicle systems, said plurality of sensors beingoperatively connected to said network; a processing system operativelyconnected to said network, said processing system being configured to:collect sensor data from the off-road vehicles, the sensor data beingrelated to the operation of a plurality of vehicle systems; combinesensor data from the vehicle systems in accordance with a user-definedevent; determine whether the collected and combined sensor data arewithin or without defined limits of the user-defined event; produce analarm signal for a user when the collected and combined sensor data arewithout the defined limits of the user-defined event; and recommendmodification of the operation of vehicles for which an alarm signal hasbeen produced; and a display system operatively associated with saidprocessing system, said processing system displaying on said displaysystem at least information relating to the recommended modification.